Name: Donavan “Sky” Logan
School: The University of Texas at El Paso
Position: Defensive Line
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 275
Q: What were some of your goals heading into your final collegiate season?
Our defensive goals were to play relentless defense no matter the situation, limit assignment errors, and play as a unit. We started off slow on those goals, and as the season went on, many people struggled to score against us and those goals were accomplished. Personal goals this year were to be a better leader, make a lot of plays, and be a relentless pursuit player. All of these were accomplished. I got voted as the team’s most inspirational player by the team, had a career high in tackles, and made all kind of plays down the line of scrimmage.
Q: If you could describe your style of play in 3 words, what would they be?
A “relentless technical playmaker” will describe my style of play in three words. I’m willing to play as hard as I can by executing my technique consistently, and then my ability to make plays kick in while all that is going on. Our defensive coordinator, Tom Mason, always told us that technique separates good players from great players. A guy in the league that I will call a “relentless technician playmaker” is Fletcher Cox. He plays super hard with great technique, then his playmaking skills show from being technical sound.
Q: How will you train and prepare this offseason for the draft or other pro opportunities?
I have been training every phase of what comes with the great game of football, but I will have to say that I’ve been working on speed, agility, core, and lower body strength the most. I’ve also been working on grip strength to get my hands strong to be able to throw offensive linemen off of me. All workouts I do end in stretching to work on my flexibility. Shout out to RXN Athletics in El Paso for getting me in the best shape of my life.
Q: When you are studying film, what do you focus on or look for?
When watching film, the first thing I look at is the heads of offensive linemen. A lot of offensive linemen don’t realize that they are looking at their work and that gives me a clear picture of where they might go or what the scheme they are going to try and block. I also look at if they lean in their stance when pulling or are they are light in their stance when they are pass blocking. These will also give me a jump on what I might get. Then, I look to see if they are an aggressive mauling group or a finesse speed group. This can really help me prepare on what my feet pattern needs to be. I then look at the pass sets. Is he a short setter, a deep setter, or a jump setter? A short setter is a guy I can beat with speed. A deep setter is a guy I can beat with power. A jump setter is a guy I can beat with an up and under move. Then I look at the negative plays and sacks they have given up to see what the offensive line struggles at.
Q: What separates you from the other players at your position?
The things that separates me from other guys in my position is my versatility, knowledge of the game, and my mindset of a perfectionist. I’m versatile by playing all kinds of positions along the defensive line. I’ve played end, 0 nose, shade nose, 3 technique, and all the head up techniques and made plays at all of them. You can even see me playing some linebacker against Army in my tape. I can run stunts, twists, and play my base alignment. I’m a student of the game. I absorb the game of football like a sponge and will not ever miss out on a opportunity to learn and get a step ahead on football IQ. To a go along with that, I am a perfectionist. I want and will do things as perfect as they can be. People call it working on your craft. I call it trying to be perfect.
Q: What kind of strengths and abilities will you bring to a team that will stand out both on and off the field?
My ability to make plays from any d line position is a strength that many teams can afford to take a chance on. I took on double teams good in my career which allowed our linebackers to run and make plays. I also have that want to get better mindset which is a strength that leads to positive things. Off the field, I think that I’m a great teammate and leader who always finds a positive out of anything negative, and I will never be a distraction to the team.
Q: What is your final pitch or sell to NFL and other pro league scouts?
I am a player who is willing to do any and everything to help my team win. I will work my teammates hard at practice, lead them, and compete against them to bring out their best everyday. I am a player who prides himself on trying to be perfect with my technique, then letting my natural skills take over. I am a versatile player that has experience playing all over the defensive line and making plays at every position on the defensive line. Lastly, I’m a student of the game who is willing to learn every tip, tendency, or techniques to get ahead of the rest.
